Code of Courtly Love

-Attraction to the other person.

-Know that you are now secondary. Their needs come before your own.

-Lovesick, can't get them out of your mind? A good sign you love them.

-Friendship and camaraderie. Have fun with them, and make sure they have fun with you.

-Be sure that they are the object of your devotion, nothing less. Do not engage with false feelings, and do not lead them on. Never lie to them.

-When ready, confess your feelings. Pray that they reciprocate.

-If they do not reciprocate your feelings, respect their wishes, even if it's not what you want. If you truly cared, what you want would not matter. They should be all that matters.

-Be theirs, because they are not yours. Exist for them, because they do not exist for you. Cherish every moment.

-Make them happy, by whatever means necessary. If they frown, be the one to turn it upside down. Make every day better for them than the last.

-Look in their eyes like they're your favorite tv show, hold their hand, hug them like a life preserver. Make sure they know how much you love them, and never let them forget it every day you're with them.

Essential Question #4

In Hrothgar's final farewell to Beowulf,the leader of the Danes offers Beowulf two pieces of advice. The first is to always remember and thank God, the second to never succumb to pride. Hrothgar offers an anecdote of a man who comes to power through the glory of God. God makes this man the ruler of a country which he is able to rule prosperously. Nothing bad ever happens to the man, until he starts to get pompous. Arrogance consumes him and he forgets about God, instead focusing on himself, his wealth, and his achievements. Ambition grows, and what made him happy before is now insufficient. He greedily craves more. The man then dies, another man taking up the throne in his place. Hrothgar sums his story up with these words to Beowulf: "Arm yourself, dear Beowulf, best of men, against such diseased thinking; always swallow pride; remember renowned warrior, what is more worthwhile--gain everlasting. Today and tomorrow you will be in your prime; but soon you will die, [...] all too soon, O warrior, death will destroy you" (Lines 742-752). Hrothgar's message to Beowulf is simple: "Do not let all of this fame and power go to your head. Instead, make a name for yourself so that your name can live forever. Remember that even with your strength, you are still mortal, and that some day you will die. Remember God and thank Him for all that he has done, and do not stake your faith in earthly possessions." Man is finite; his time on earth is short, and that time must be spent doing the right thing and serving God, the only thing that is infinite. I think that Beowulf will get caught up in his power and forget Hrothgar's word. In the end, Beowulf will forget about God and rely on his own strength, which will in turn insure his end.